Tonight, Secret Sidewalk, Disappearing People, and Klaxon Mutant All-Stars will be joining forces at Oakland’s Legionnaire Saloon to play Uncle Alberts Holiday Social.

The show features an array of bands that let instrumentals shine above all else. Headlining the shindig is Bay Area organic electronic quartet, Secret Sidewalk. Seeking to achieve an avant-garde “dirt wave” sound, the band puts on a chaotic yet seamless set. Oakland’s experimental lo-fi duo, Disappearing People will also be making an appearance. The band plays for the long haul cranking out reverb-heavy durational musical arrangements with psych-rock leanings. Klaxon Mutant Allstars also join in on the fun with its own brand of jazz-fusion. The instrumental quartet offers cohesive, caterwauling musical compositions. –Erin Dage

Local nu-soul crooner 8th Grader debuted the video for his song “The Sweetness” last week, and we’re enamored. Also known as Jayson Martinovich, the artist seeks to redefine the concept of slow jams by blending elements of pop, R&B and chillwave in his latest release Diamonds, Silver and Gold. As a different version of “All the Sweetness” from the album, the video gives a sultry, soulful air as he and his lady friend move in and out of the shadows in vignetted scenes. And the best way to view this video? Just kick back, relax, and let 8th Grader do all the singing.

If the video isn’t enough, be sure to catch him alongside songstress Jasmine Nichol at Brick and Mortar Music Hall on December 22. – Erin Dage

On a rainy Friday night in Mill Valley a few hundred soggy concertgoers packed into the Sweetwater Music Hall for a muggy but invigorating evening with Two Gallants. After a fiery opening set from the Once and Future Band, the sold out club welcomed the freaky americana-rock duo and their raw mix of country-blues and grungy rock and roll to the Marin suburb for their first Bay Area show in nearly four months.

From the opening moments of the set, it was striking just how much sound the band got out of only two instruments. Frontman Adam Steven’s distorted fingerpicked guitar and Tyson Vogel’s punk-virtuoso drumming interlocked seamlessly, enveloping the dance floor and transfixing the crowd. As the band kicked into their signature anthem “Steady Rollin,” the audience inched closer to the stage, swaying and singing along with Steven’s gravelly vagabond vocals.

Perhaps the most memorable moment of the night came as Stevens grabbed an acoustic guitar and harmonica while Vogel hopped off the kit to perform “Broken Eyes,” a plaintive folk ballad whose delicate harmonies revealed the intense chemistry between these two lifelong band mates. To close out the show the duo ripped through the cathartic “Nothing to You,” a manic waltz that gave everyone one last chance to sing along before finishing their beers, finding their coats and wandering out into the blustery winter night. –Ethan Varian 

Photo Credit: Charlie Villyard

San Francisco based alternative indie rock band, Guy Fox has released a new single entitled, The City Line. This quietly eerie, reverbed anti ballad is an ode to city living. The City Line breaks down with a funk style bass line and intricate atmosphere changes that brings a gritty and sensual feel to this well produced, dense song. This single, released on December 5th is a great segway to what Guy Fox will be bringing in the future. We’re excited to hear this new track and look forward to hearing new music, from this eclectically funky rock ensemble. –je

When you think of a cello, ambient experimental music may not be the first thing that comes to mind; but after a listen to vocalist, Jordannah Elizabeth and cellist Kate Porter’s new collaboration, your ears will thank you for the experience. This bi coastal, Baltimore/San Franisco based duo, has created a four-song project that features a striking range of themes, all of which sound like they could be components of a soundtrack to a new-age historical epic. The longest track at 6 minutes and 28 seconds, "You Won’t Regret It," begins with a somber cello solo that slowly builds and gains power, soon to come back down and end with an ethereal two minute extended decrescendo. "What You’re Hiding" opens with an exciting hook that conjures up images of a sly, calculated tango that is quickly joined by layers of an equally beautiful, melancholic voice that adds a silvery airiness. The final product without a doubt piques interest, spurs inspiration and offers a view into perhaps the future of experimental music. – Kat Collins

Congratulations to the San Francisco based band, Lemme Adams for winning The Deli Magazine’s San Francisco‘s Artist of the Month Poll! The fans have cast their votes and this ultra talented garage surf rock band has come out on top! Lemme Adams creates a smooth and flowing alt rock sound, laced with a horn section, and a laid back summer time vibe. We’re into them, and wish them the very best in their future musical endeavors!!!

We may never achieve contact with aliens, let alone find out what they’re listening to; fortunately, thanks to A Million Billion Dying Suns, we can take a guess. Perhaps the matured lovechild of Animal Collective and The Flaming Lips, AMBDS delivers synthy beats and airy vocals in the form of a fresh EP. Reminiscent of a spacey sci-fi flick, the tension-building intro to Strawberry Letter 23 launches the listener into the milky way and out of their usual zone. The raging guitars wail on amidst a whirlwind of sound, twisting and twirling through a hurricane of good vibes. Plush is not only a perfect adjective for the third track listing, but also the title; with a rich beat that makes you want to dance and a sick guitar solo, you may feel as if you’re inside an 80’s discotheque rapidly orbiting around the sun. Wonderfully foreign yet blissfully cozy, AMBDS certainly transcends earthly limitations. – Kat Collins

SF based Portuguese, psychedelic folk band, Mark Matos & Os Beaches will be performing live at Amnesia on December 29th in San Francisco. This invigoratingly tripped out ensemble which includes former members of Brian Jonestown Massacre and Acid Mothers Gong will take the stage and share the bill with the equally creative Motown soul quintet, Harry & The Hitmen. This band puts their own psych folk spin on legendary Motown hits. This show is going to be nothing but a blast. We recommend you make it out to check out this awesome line up.

Stealthy Oakland based experimental duo, Disappearing People recently released a live recording of their November 13th performance at The Night Light. This untitled recording is impressively mixed by the club’s resident sound engineer, Jeffrey Adam Wright, who made every bellowing note from founding member, Scott Johnston crystal clear and audible. Steven Sessler portrays proficiency and poise on the drums as he’s able to improvise and blend with the every haunting, and echoing loop and atmosphere Johnston created on guitar and with his vocals. This new track permeates a moody, noisy and imploding chaos that somehow holds its composure in a way that keeps you listening until the last second.

You can catch Disappearing People live, once again at The Night Light TONIGHT. They’ll be one component of a strong bill that includes two other great local bands, Clipd Beaks and White Cloud. –je

If you’re not familiar with Ty Segall’s psychedelic sludge rock outfit Fuzz, then do yourself a favor and light one up, plug in a good pair of headphones and check this band out ASAP. The aptly named power trio, who released their self-titled stoner rock debut this October, mixes the heavy riffage and torrid guitar tone of groups like Sabbath, The Melvins and Sleep with the infectious garage rock energy Segall has become known for.

On December 3rd the band is set to release a new EP dubbed Live in San Francisco as part of an ongoing live series for John Dwyer’s Castle Face Records. The recording captures the group’s blistering set at The SF Eagle earlier this year, featuring Segall bringing the doom on drums and vocals. You can preview the track “You Won’t See Me” below and purchase a CD or LP version of the album at midhaven.com. –Ethan Varian

18 year old, Bay Area based indie pop musician, Matt Jaffe will be performing live in Berkeley tomorrow night. After being discovered at an open mic by Jerry Harrison of the iconic new wave band, Talking Heads, Matt has been recording and performing with his band The Distractions while balancing tour dates and his college education. We’re completely excited about this young talent. Check out his upcoming show at Starry Plough on November 26th in Berkeley at 8:30 pm.

Check out this beautifully shot video of the Cool Ghouls performing their song Grace. This intriguing video includes an interview like introduction from the band explaining the origin and lyrical content of this powerful and dramatic track, garage rock ode to facial hair. 

Shrouded in ocean fog at an abandoned bunker overlooking the Pacific ocean, the band rips through a soulful rendition of Grace, with a full horn section, and plenty of style. In all honesty will make you a loyal fan on the spot. Keep an eye out for this group. They’re sure to become a mainstay of SF’s resurgent garage rock scene. We’re a big fan of their live performances and innovative composition style. –Ethan Varian

Cool Ghouls – "Grace" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.